Several of you were curious about what my thoughts were about my new addition....
Washington requires an additional endorsement for 3 wheel bikes. I took a 30 question test (it was pretty tough actually) yesterday and I got my "permit" to ride legally on the street. The dealer (Westside Motorsports in Spokane) is also a state testing center for both the written and performance exam. Based on the skills I demonstrated on their course, the instructor didn?t feel I needed to take the whole 16 hour course, so I got the permit so I can ride it and get the feel before taking my performance exam.
Today I only had time for 50 miles or so on a local 25 mile loop I ride when I need to ?stretch my motorcycle legs? that has a great mix of roads: residential, city arterial, state 2 lane highway, and county 2 lane road. Other than super slab, it has all of the roadways covered and a nice mix of turns and surface conditions. For now, it's my practice loop.
As humbling as it is to an experienced rider, it is an entirely different style and method of riding, and, yes, counter-steering is not going to work successfully. There is still some leaning involved to keep the chassis from loading up. It?s funny, going into a turn, either rolling off the throttle or a little brake gets the nose down and weight transferred, then a little rider weight shift keeps the suspension from overloading to "outside" of the turn, but then rolling back into the throttle at the apex makes the Spyder feel like it's on rails. I will say this, it was very responsive in 4th gear at 55-60 and there was no buzzing or vibration, something BRP worked on for the 2014 models. One a few occasions, I kicked it up to 60+ and put her in 6th gear. But it is very tall and seems much more like an overdrive to me. Probably enough riders griped (sound familiar) about the 5 speed tranny that BRP decided that going with the 1330 triple gave then enough justification to add 6th gear. It will help fuel economy, I suspect. I do know one thing, when you punch it from a dead stop at a light, you are gone!
As I play with the electronic suspension dampening, I'm sure with experience I will be able to dial in the proper suspension stiffness to the load weight and road conditions to the point it will effect handling in a positive way. I know one thing, you have to be actively "on the bars" because unlike a butt shift or a slight torso lean here and there, you have to actually steer this baby. Unless it?s in a parking lot, a 2 wheelers bar probably does move more than 2-4 degrees L or R at any time at highway speeds, but you really have to work the bar on the Spyder.
Nearly unanimous opinion was centered on getting the SE6 tranny. Though there is no clutch lever with an automatic clutch, it does have to be manually upshifted but it downshifts automatically or manually, so that is unusual. I do love the paddle shifter and am getting close to learning the shift points. There is an ECO automatic system that has an upshift indicator, but most turn it off, as did I. Also, there is no hand brake lever for the front brakes, only a foot pedal for the combined ABS. My NT has the combined ABS also, but you had to use both the front lever and rear pedal to activate, as you all know. It?s just funny to not have the levers to pull any more.
So far, I'm loving the Spyder. It?s a way different machine to operate than a 2 wheeler, but not difficult. So far, I?ve been able to check my 2-wheel hubris at the garage door and approach it as a rookie might, not with any fear or nervousness, just utmost respect. Focusing on learning new riding techniques has brought about an excitement and renewed focus on the sheer joy of riding. Whether I?m riding the Spyder or the NT, a day on a bike is better than any day at the office.
See ya in about 12 days.
Len
Washington requires an additional endorsement for 3 wheel bikes. I took a 30 question test (it was pretty tough actually) yesterday and I got my "permit" to ride legally on the street. The dealer (Westside Motorsports in Spokane) is also a state testing center for both the written and performance exam. Based on the skills I demonstrated on their course, the instructor didn?t feel I needed to take the whole 16 hour course, so I got the permit so I can ride it and get the feel before taking my performance exam.
Today I only had time for 50 miles or so on a local 25 mile loop I ride when I need to ?stretch my motorcycle legs? that has a great mix of roads: residential, city arterial, state 2 lane highway, and county 2 lane road. Other than super slab, it has all of the roadways covered and a nice mix of turns and surface conditions. For now, it's my practice loop.
As humbling as it is to an experienced rider, it is an entirely different style and method of riding, and, yes, counter-steering is not going to work successfully. There is still some leaning involved to keep the chassis from loading up. It?s funny, going into a turn, either rolling off the throttle or a little brake gets the nose down and weight transferred, then a little rider weight shift keeps the suspension from overloading to "outside" of the turn, but then rolling back into the throttle at the apex makes the Spyder feel like it's on rails. I will say this, it was very responsive in 4th gear at 55-60 and there was no buzzing or vibration, something BRP worked on for the 2014 models. One a few occasions, I kicked it up to 60+ and put her in 6th gear. But it is very tall and seems much more like an overdrive to me. Probably enough riders griped (sound familiar) about the 5 speed tranny that BRP decided that going with the 1330 triple gave then enough justification to add 6th gear. It will help fuel economy, I suspect. I do know one thing, when you punch it from a dead stop at a light, you are gone!
As I play with the electronic suspension dampening, I'm sure with experience I will be able to dial in the proper suspension stiffness to the load weight and road conditions to the point it will effect handling in a positive way. I know one thing, you have to be actively "on the bars" because unlike a butt shift or a slight torso lean here and there, you have to actually steer this baby. Unless it?s in a parking lot, a 2 wheelers bar probably does move more than 2-4 degrees L or R at any time at highway speeds, but you really have to work the bar on the Spyder.
Nearly unanimous opinion was centered on getting the SE6 tranny. Though there is no clutch lever with an automatic clutch, it does have to be manually upshifted but it downshifts automatically or manually, so that is unusual. I do love the paddle shifter and am getting close to learning the shift points. There is an ECO automatic system that has an upshift indicator, but most turn it off, as did I. Also, there is no hand brake lever for the front brakes, only a foot pedal for the combined ABS. My NT has the combined ABS also, but you had to use both the front lever and rear pedal to activate, as you all know. It?s just funny to not have the levers to pull any more.
So far, I'm loving the Spyder. It?s a way different machine to operate than a 2 wheeler, but not difficult. So far, I?ve been able to check my 2-wheel hubris at the garage door and approach it as a rookie might, not with any fear or nervousness, just utmost respect. Focusing on learning new riding techniques has brought about an excitement and renewed focus on the sheer joy of riding. Whether I?m riding the Spyder or the NT, a day on a bike is better than any day at the office.
See ya in about 12 days.
Len
